Trump contradicts CDC director on coronavirus vaccine timeline rollout

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US President Donald Trump announced a viable coronavirus vaccine would be available by November, directly contradicting a top administration health expert.

Robert Redfield, director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said a COVID-19 vaccine could be broadly rolled out by the middle of next year or a little later.

"No, I think he made a mistake when he said that," Trump said, telling reporters he called Redfield. "That's incorrect information. "I believe he was confused. I think he just misunderstood the question, probably."

Redfield, head of the federal government's disease control agency, made his comments in testimony before a US Senate panel.

He said general availability of a vaccine could come by "late second quarter, third quarter 2021."

A vaccine could be ready as soon as this November or December, Redfield said, adding that limited first doses could go to those who were most vulnerable. But "in order to have enough of us immunized to have immunity, I think it’s going to take six to nine months," he added.